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THE  HOUSE 

OFTHELORD 

IN  HAWAII 


In 


A  DESCRIPTION 

— '      ""         OF  THE 

Hawaiian  Temple 


OF  THE 


Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints 


ERECTED  AT 

Laie,  Oahu,   Territory  of  Hawaii 

And  a  statement  concerning  the  pur- 
poses for  which  it  has  been  built 


By  D.  M^McALLISTER 

Temple  Recorder 


PUBLISHED  BY  TTTE  CHURCH 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

1921 


Copyrighted  by 

HEBER  J.  GRANT 

for 

For  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 

of  Latterly  Saints 

January,  1921 


"''''     1& 


The  House  of  the  Lord  in  Hawaii 


THE  TEMPLE  in  Hawaii,  erected  by  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  near  the  picturesque  little 
village  of  Laie,  Oahu,  T.  H.,  is  so  uniquely  beautiful 
that  it  excites  the  wonderment  of  all  who  see  it;  and  the 
questions  are  usually  asked,  "What  has  it  cost?"  and  "What 
is  the  purpose  for  which  it  has  been  built?"  This  pamphlet 
is  intended  to  provide  all  enquirers  with  the  authentic  infor- 
mation they  desire,  but  it  is  necessarily  given  in  a  somewhat 
brief  form. 

The  architects,  Messrs.  Pope  &  Burton,  of  Salt  Lake  City, 
Utah,  published  a  statement  from  which  we  extract  the  follow- 
ing: 

"The  temple  in  Hawaii  is  situated  on  an  emi- 
nence which  commands  an  unobstructed  view  of  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  whose  vast  expanse,  coupled  with  the 
luxuriant  semi-tropical  vegetption  of  the  fertile  and 
highly  cultivated  land  adjoining  the  beach,  forms  a  fore- 
ground  which,  in  its  grandeur,  could  scarcely  be  sur- 
passed, and  which,  through  the  less  exuberant  growth  on 
the  foot  hills,  gradually  leads  up  to  the  background 
which  is  formed  by  the  rugged  mountain  range  that  sep- 
arates the  leeward  or  western  portion  of  the  island  from 
the  windward  or  eastern  side  upon  which  the  temple 
stands. 

"When  considering  the  construction  of  a  temple  in 
Hawaii,  it  was  quite  a  problem  to  determine  the  material 
of  which  it  should  be  built,  for,  although  highly  favored 
in  other  respects,  the  islands  are  almost  devoid  of  build- 
ing materials.    However,  it  was  known  that  the  volcanic 


rock,  which  is  readily  obtainable  near  the  site,  could  be 
crushed  into  an  aggregate  which  would  make  very  goo'l 
concrete,  and  it  was,  therefore,  finally  decided  to  build 
the  entire  edifice,  floors  and  roofs,  as  well  as  the  walls, 
of  cement  concrete,  reinforced  with  steel  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  building  is  therefore  a  monolith  of  artificial 
stone,  which,  after  thoroughly  hardening,  has  been 
dressed  on  all  of  its  exterior  surfaces  by  means  of  pneu- 
matic stone  cutting  tools,  thus  producing  a  cream  white 
structure,  which  may  be  said  to  be  one  single  stone. 

"For  the  finishing  of  the  interior  hardwoods  have 
been  extensively  used,  the  principal  rooms  being  finished 
with  Hawaiian  koa,  a  native  wood  of  the  islands  which 
rivals  the  choicest  mahogany  in  its  beauty  of  grain  and 
color.  Most  of  the  floors  are  covered  with  carpets,  but 
in  the  Baptistry,  and  in  a  number  of  other  apartments, 
Mosaic  tile  and  marble  have  been  used. 

"As  can  readily  be  seen  from  the  exterior  design, 
the  general  ground  plan  of  the  temple  is  in  the  form 
of  a  Greek  cross,  the  annex  being  at  the  east  end.  The 
extreme  dimensions  of  the  building  from  east  to  west 
are  102  feet,  and  from  north  to  south  78  feet.  The  cen- 
tral portion  of  the  edifice  rises  to  a  height  of  50  feet, 
above  the  upper  terrace.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  in- 
teresting to  state  that  if  the  dimensions  of  Solomon's 
Temple,  mentioned  in  sacred  writ,  are  properly  under- 
stood by  us,  and  if  the  now  generally  accepted  equivalent 
for  the  cubit,  the  ancient  unit  of  measure,  is  correct,  then 
the  principal  portion  of  the  famous  edifice  of  antiquity 
had  about  the  same  cubical  contents  as  the  temple  in 
Hawaii. 

"It  is  impossible  in  this  brief  description  to  discuss 
in  detail  the  architectural  design  of  the  temple  in  Ha- 
waii, but  briefly  it  may  be  said  that  it  is,  both  in  ex- 
terior treatment  and  interior  arrangement,  a  highly  sym- 
bolical expression  of  the  sacred  purpose  of  the  edifice. 
Truth  and  simplicity  have  been  the  guiding  stars  in 
every  detail  of  the  design  to  such  an  extent  that,  with 
the  exception  of  one  or  two  features,  there  is  almost  a 
total  absence  of  architectural  detail  and  ornamentation. 
The  dignified  character  of  the  architectural  design  is  an 
outgrowth  of  the  well  studied  ground  plan  and  of  the 
carefully  proportioned  plain  wall  surface  of  the  exterior. 

"The  upper  part  of  the  temple  was  originally  de- 
signed to  have  a  number  of  isolated  sculptured  panels, 
but  with  the  co-operation  of  Messrs.  Leo  and  Avard  Fair- 


banks,  these  panels  were  ultimately  developed  into  four 
sculptured  friezes — one  on  each  side  of  the  building — de- 
picting in  bold  relief  the  outstanding  events  of  the  four 
principal  dispensations.  The  subject  illustrated  by  the 
sculptors,  and  the  highly  artistic  interpretation  of  same, 
would  really  justify  a  much  more  comprehensive  descrip- 
tion, but  the  brevity  of  this  article  prevents  any  attempt 
of  this. 

"The  beautiful  baptismal  font,  including  the  oxen 
Ruppcrting  same,  form  in  this  temple  an  integral  part 
of  the  structure,  and  were  designed  by  Pope  &  Burton, 
the  architects  of  the  building,  but  were  modeled  in  a 
highly  artistic  manner  by  Mr.  Avard  Fairbanks,  who  also 
supervised  their  execution  in  artificial  stone. 

"The  large  mural  paintings  in  the  ordinance  rooms 
are  the  work  of  Utah  artists,  Mr.  A.  B.  Wright,  and  Mr. 
LeConte  Stewart.  The  latter  also  supervised  the  general 
decorative  work  throughout  the  building. 

"In  the  construction  of  this  edifice  the  ideal  which 
was  ever  held  in  mind  was  to  erect  a  structure  that 
would  be  as  lasting  as  human  skill  could  make  it,  and  of 
a  simple,  chaste  beauty,  which  is  the  result  of  good  pro- 
portions and  appropriateness,  rather  than  ornament  and 
embellishment.  As  it  stands  today  complete  in  every 
particular,  this  temple  is  a  lasting  monument  to  the 
faith  and  devotion  of  the  Hawaiian  Saints.'^ 

Elder  Rudger  Clawson  wrote  as  follows,  after  a  thorough 
examination  of  the  Temple  and   surroundings: 

**The  temple  proper  is  located  on  an  elevated  spot 
of  ground  and  may  be  seen  for  miles  around — north, 
south  and  west.  The  Pacific  Ocean  lies  to  the  east, 
and  great  mountains  of  rugged  grandeur  form  a  back- 
ground to  the  temple  looking  west.  To  the  south,  green 
fields  of  growing  sugar  cane  are  everywhere  in  sighl, 
except  high  up  on  the  mountain  sides,  where  great 
pineapple  fields  spread  out  before  the  eye.  Just  below, 
and  situated  between  the  ocean  and  the  temple,  is  the 
Church  colony  of  Laie,  until  recently  the  headquar- 
ters of  the  mission,  with  its  beautiful  cottage  homes, 
trees  and  flowers.  And  within  almost  a  stone's  throw 
are  located  the  chapel,  school  buildings  and  mission 
home. 

"The  approach  to  the  temple  is  worthy  of  special 
mention.     Spacious  grounds  have  been  provided,  which 


are  laid  out  in  a  series  of  rising  terraces.  In  the  cen- 
ter are  four  cement-lined  pools  of  fresh  water,  one 
above  the  other,  with  two  circular  columns  to  each  pool. 
On  both  sides  of  the  pools  and  running  parallel  with 
them  are  cement  walks  and  steps  leading  up  to  the  up- 
per terrace,  which  is  semi-circular  in  form  and  faced 
with  a  substantial  concrete  wall  ten  feet  high.  In  the 
center  of  the  upper  terrace  is  another  pool  with  a 
fountain  in  the  middle. 

"The  grounds  are  all  covered  with  lawn  and  sur- 
rounded by  a  four-foot  wall  of  lava  rock,  buttressed  at 
intervals  by  solid  concrete  blocks.  At  night  bright  lights 
blaze  forth  from  the  columns  referred  to,  lighting  up 
the  foreground  of  the  temple.  From  the  top  of  these 
columns  also  issue  fountains  of  living  water,  feeding  the 
pools. 

"The  climax  to  this  wondrous  scene  is  a  piece  of 
statuary  by  Avard  Fairbanks,  representing  Maternity, 
in  the  persons  of  a  Hawaiian  mother  and  her  three 
children.  The  work  is  beautifully  executed  and  re- 
flects great  credit  upon  the  artist. 

"The  interior  workmanship  and  finish  are  first  class 
in  all  respects,  and  the  furnishings  are  beautiful.  Ap- 
propriate paintings  adorn  the  walls  of  the  various  rooms. 
The  walls  and  ceiling  of  the  upper  room  are  paneled, 
the  panels  being  bordered  with  genuine  oak  and  striped 
with  gold  leaf,  producing  a  most  harmonious  and  de- 
lightful effect.  A  Wilton  carpet  covers  the  floor  and 
gold  colored  silk  plush  portieres  hang  in  the  recesses 
of  the  room  on  all  sides.  A  soft,  mellow  light  is  furnished 
by  windows  high  up  just  under  the  ceiling,  and  a  hand- 
some chandelier  sheds  forth  a  subdued  electric  light 
when  darkness  comes  on.  This,  of  course,  is  the  largest 
and  most  beautiful  of  all  the  Temple  rooms,  and  one's 
entrance  there  seems  to  bring  him  into  an  atmosphere 
of  absolute  peace.     It  is  indeed  a  heavenly  place. 

"The  temple  was  constructed  under  the  general  su- 
pervision of  President  Samuel  E.  Woolley,  ably  assisted 
by  Ralph  Woolley,  his  son,  who  superintended  and  car- 
ried out  the  plans  of  the  architects.  Great  credit  is  due 
the  architects  and  artists  who  worked  on  the  build- 
ing." 

Before  concluding  this  brief  description  of  the  Temple  and 
grounds,  it  is  proper  to  refer  to  the  small  Jbuildings  on  each 
side  of  the  entrance   gates.     They  harmonize  strictly  with  the 

7 


unique  architecture  of  the  Temple,  which  may  in  its  straight 
lines,  be  said  to  resemble  the  ancient  Egyptian,  and  is  sug- 
gestive of  other  remarkable  edifices,  ruins  of  which  are  thickly 
strewn  in  some  parts  of  Mexico  and  Central  America.  The 
small  buildings  referred  to  are  fitted  as  reception  rooms  and 
a  bureau  of  information,  where  an  attendant  receives  visit- 
ors, acts  as  their  guide  on  the  grounds,  witltout  exacting  a  fes, 
and  distributes  literature  of  the  "Mormon"  faith  concerning 
Temples,  etc. 

On  the  hillside,  at  the  rear  of  the  Temple,  are  two  fern 
houses,  with  a  lengthy  pergola  extending  between  them;  the 
whole  artistically  combined  in  a  style  conforming  to  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  Temple.  Just  beyond  the  central  part  of  the 
pergola  is  a  striking  piece  of  statuary,  of  large  size,  modeled 
by  Avard  Fairbanks,  a  Utah  sculptor,  whose  work  is  attaining 
national  celebrity.  The  group  represents  the  Prophet  Lehi 
blessing  one  of  his  sons;  a  fitting  historical  incident,  because 
Lehi  was  the  leader  of  a  colony  of  Israelites  who  left  Jeru- 
salem in  the  year  600  B.  C,  crossed  the  Pacific  Ocean  in  a  ves- 
sel they  had  constructed,  and  landed  on  the  western  coast  of 
South  America,  where  they  developed  into  great  nations,  the 
ancestors  of  the  American  Indians.  Certain  statements  con- 
tained in  the  sacred  history  of  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  Amer- 
ica— The  Book  of  Mormon — give  strong  evidence  of  the  prob- 
ability that  the  natives  of  Hawaii,  New  Zealand,  and  other 
Polynesian  islands,  are  of  the  same  racial  descent  as  the  Amer- 
ican Indians;  hence  the  appropriate  character  of  the  splendid 
statuary  group  referred  to  above. 

The  Temple  enclosure  embraces  an  area  of  five  acres,  and 
it  is  intended  to  make  the  entire  plot  harmonize  with  the  im- 
pressive beauty  of  the  sacred  building.  Mr.  Joseph  F.  Rock, 
botanist  of  the  College  of  Hawaii,  a  gentleman  who  has  visited 
many  lands,  and  has  seen  the  renowned  temples  of  India  and 
other  celebrated  places  in  various  countries,  kindly  volun- 
teered his  valued  services  in  planning  the  landscape  garden- 
ing for  the  Laie  Temple  grounds;  therefore  we  confidently  an- 
ticipate that,  in  due  course  of  time,  these  grounds  will  be  at- 
tractively  beautiful;    the   extensive,   well   cultivated   lawns   are 

8 


already  assuming  that  aspect.  The  Temple  and  grounds  have 
cost  about  $215,000;  $60,000  of  that  amount  was  donated  by  the 
ten  thousand  members  of  the  Church  (and  a  few  friends)  in 
Hawaii,  nearly  all  of  whom  are  natives  of  these  islands. 

After  the  Temple  was  completed  and  furnished,  and  be- 
fore it  was  dedicated,  many  hundreds  of  ladies  and  gentlemen 
visited  it,  and  were  permitted  to  see  every  portion  of  the  in- 
terior, and  had  explanations  given  to  them  in  regard  to  the 
purposes  for  which  the  various  rooms  are  used.  Those  visit- 
ors, therefore,  can  substantiate  the  statements  that  follow,  con- 
cerning what  they  saw  and  heard  at  the  time  of  their  visit. 
Since  the  dedication,  which  took  place  on  Thanksgiving  day, 
November  27,  1919,  no  changes  have  been  made;  now,  however, 
only  those  entitled  to  participate  in  the  ordinances  performed 
therein  are  permitted  to  enter  the  consecrated  edifice. 

Members  of  the  Church,  who  have  engaged  in  the  sacred 
ceremonies,  are  solemn  witnesses  to  the  fact  that  everything  said 
and  done  in  the  Temple  is  sublime  in  character,  pure  and 
sacred,  such  only  as  should  prevail  in  a  holy  sanctuary  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God.  All  that  they  see  and  hear  therein 
strengthens  their  resolves  to  live  in  accord  with  the  laws  of 
God,  do  all  the  good  they  can  to  their  fellow  men,  and  sustain 
the  laws  of  their  country;  such  is  the  sacred  character  and 
effect  of  the  ordinances  performed  in  the  Temple. 

In  passing,  we  may  observe  that  the  Temples  erected  by 
the  Latter-tlay  Saints,  like  the  Temples  that  God  instructed  His 
people  to  build  to  His  name  in  olden  times,  are  not  intended 
to  be  used  as  places  of  public  assembly  for  the  people  in  gen- 
eral; they  are  reserved  for  special,  holy  purposes,  in  which 
only  a  limited  number  of  the  people  and  officiating  Priests 
can   participate. 

The  Annex  of  the  Temple  extends  along  the  entire  eastern 
front  of  the  main  building,  and  is  only  one  story  in  height. 
The  entrance  door  is  in  the  middle  of  the  front,  and  the  of- 
fices of  the  doorkeeper  and  recorders  are  in  the  first  room. 
The  people  who  enter  for  the  purpose  of  participating  in  the 
sacred  services,  are  required  to  present  to  the  doorkeeper  a 
document,  signed  by  the  Mission  President,  certifying  that  they 

10 


are  faithful  members  of  the  Church,  and  their  names  are  duly 
registered  in  the  doorkeeper's  record,  before  they  are  permit- 
ted to  enter  the  Temple.  The  recorders  then  receive  from 
each  person  a  statement  concerning  each  and  all  of  the  ordi- 
nances they  purpose  engaging  in  during  that  day.  Each  ordi- 
nance performed  is  made  a  matter  of  record,  and  includes  the 
necessary  data  that  identifies  the  individuals  in  whose  behalf 
the  sacred  work  is  done,  also  designates  those  who  officiated  in 
the  respective  ordinances. 

The  people  then  pass  into  a  long  corridor,  extending  north 
and  south,  in  which  they  remove  their  shoes  and  head  cover- 
ings. Seats  are  placed  in  the  corridor,  where  the  visitors  can 
rest  until  time  to  begin  the  day's  services.  Lavatories  are  lo- 
cated at  each  end  of  this  part  of  the  Annex.  The  President  of 
the  Temple  has  an  office  leading  out  from  the  corridor.  A 
room  is  provided  in  which  children  are  taken  care  of  while  the 
parents  are  engaged  in  the  Temple.  Another  room  contains 
a  supply  of  certain  articles  of  white  clothing,  which  are  re- 
quired to  be  worn  in  connection  with  the  ceremonies  per- 
formed, and  each  person  receives  therefrom  that  which  is 
needed. 

At  9  a.  m.  meeting  is  called,  and  the  people  enter  from 
the  corridor  into  a  neatly  furnished  chapel,  where  a  short 
service  of  hymns,  prayer  and  instruction  is  given,  to  prepare 
them  for  the  more  important  proceedings  in  the  Temple. 

Four  bas-relief  plaster  tablets  on  the  walls  of  this  room 
deserve  special  notice;  they  are  small  reproductions  of  the 
subjects  represented  in  the  four  sculptured  friezes  on  the 
upper  panels  on  the  outside  of  the  Temple.  One  contains  figurel3 
representing  Adam  and  the  Hebrew  Prophets,  and  depicts  epi- 
sodes of  the  Old  Testament  history;  another  shows  the  per- 
sons of  Jesus  and  His  Apostles,  and  illustrates  incidents  related 
in  the  New  Testament.  The  third  panel  is  emblematical  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon  history;  the  figure  of  Christ  in  the  center, 
and  each  side  of  Him,  Prophets,  Apostles  and  others,  associated 
with  incidents  in  their  careers.  The  other  panel  conveys  a 
representation  of  the  ushering  in  of  this  dispensation,  when 
the  Father  and  the  Son  appeared  to  the  praying  boy,  Joseph 

11 


Smith;  and  other  important  subsequent  occurrences  are  graph- 
ically portrayed.  The  varied  postures,  apparel  of  the  figures 
and  facial  expressions  are  natural  and  life-like.  Leo  and 
Avard  Fairbanks  designed  and  executed  these  panels. 

The  room  is  seated  to  accommodate  fifty  persons.  The 
massive  bench  seats  are  unpolished  oak,  corresponding  with  the 
oak  doors,  window  casings,  cornice,  wall  paneling,  etc.  The 
same  scheme  of  seating  and  finish  is  carried  through  most  of 
the  rooms  in  the  Temple.  All  the  rooms  are  designed  to  com- 
fortably seat  the  same  number  as  are  provided  for  in  the  meet- 
ing room.  Elegant  electroliers,  in  sufficient  number,  are  in 
each  room.  All  the  floors  are  covered  with  heavy  velvet  pile 
carpeting  except  the  font  room  and  adjacent  dressing  rooms, 
which  are  tiled. 

When  the  morning  service  is  completed  in  the  chapel,  the 
company  proceeds  into  the  main  part  of  the  Temple;  the  men 
exit  by  the  doorway  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  cliapel  and 
the  women  by  the  southwest  door.  Short  flights  of  marble 
steps  lead  to  their  respective  dressing  rooms.  The  men's  room 
is  entered  from  the  north  side  of  the  hall  in  which  the  bap- 
tismal font  is  located,  and  the  women's  room  on  the  south  side. 
In  their  separate  apartments  they  make  such  changes  in  their 
apparel  as  may  be  requisite  for  participation  in  the  ordinances 
of  endowments  or  of  baptisms  for  the  dead. 

The  sanitation  system  for  the  sacred  building  is  perfect; 
ventilation  is  well  provided  by  numerous  hinged  windows 
in  every  room.  The  dressing  rooms,  just  referred  to,  have 
tiled  floors,  and  the  contiguous  lavatories  are  fitted  with  mar- 
ble wainscoating,  etc. 

The  windows  are  a  striking  feature  of  the  Temple  archi- 
tecture; seen  from  outside,  they  appear  placed  closely  together, 
and  run  in  straight  lines  to  the  full  height  of  the  two  main 
stories  of  the  building.  The  windows  are  draped  on  the  in- 
side with  a  pleasing  shade  of  Japanese  silk. 

The  Baptismal  Font  occupies  the  center  of  the  main  hall 
on  the  second  floor.  This  is  a  prominent  feature  of  the  Tem- 
ple. The  hall  is  surrounded  with  an  arched  colonnade;  the 
ceiling  is  higher  than   the   other  rooms,  giving   it  a   majestic 

12 


appearance;  the  floor  is  Mosaic  tiling.  Marble  steps  go  down 
into  the  depression,  where  stand  the  figures  of  oxen  on  which 
the  font  rests;  a  marble  stairway  is  at  the  east  side  of  the  hall 
leading  to  the  rooms  above. 

Within  the  upper  part  of  the  arches  of  the  colonnade,  in 
this  room,  there  is  a  series  of  seven  lunettes  in  oil,  painted  by 
Mr.  A.  B.  Wright,  which  splendidly  represent  cardinal  prin- 
ciples and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel — Faith,  Repentance,  Bap- 
tism, Confirmation  and  Healing.  Each  subject  is  so  strik- 
ingly portrayed,  by  the  expressive  individual  figures  and  ap- 
propriate settings,  that  the  intended  meaning  of  the  artist  is 
made  clearly  apparent. 

The  Font  is  a  beautiful  structure.  It  is  made  of  steel, 
lined  with  white  enameled  tiles,  and  is  encased  in  cement, 
decoratively  designed  by  the  sculptor,  Avard  Fairbanks,  who 
also  made  the  ornamental  base,  and  life-size  figures  of  the 
oxen,  on  which  the  Font  rests.  (It  may  be  said  that,  in  some 
respects,  the  Font  resembles  the  "molten  sea"  of  Solomon's 
Temple,  described  in  I  Kings,  vii,  23  to  26).  The  Font  is  of 
sufficient  dimensions  in  length,  width  and  depth  to  con- 
tain the  supply  of  water  needed  for  the  officiating  Elder  to 
immerse  any  person  acting  3s  proxy  in  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism for  the  dead.  There  is  a  flight  of  bronze  steps,  inlaid  with 
tile,  at  the  east  and  west  ends  of  the  font,  from  the  floor  to 
the  rim,  connecting  with  steps  leading  down  into  the  water. 
The  steps  are  provided  with  a  solid  bronze  hand-rail,  which 
also  extends  around  the  narrow  platform  that  surrounds  the 
upper  portion  of  the  Font.  On  this  platform  seats  are  placed 
for  the  recorder  and  witnesses,  who  are  required  to  be  pres- 
ent when  the  ordinance  is  administered.  Two  other  Elders 
also  have  to  be  in  attendance;  they  stand  at  the  east  end,  and 
their  duty  is  to  perform  the  ordinance  of  confirmation;  plac- 
ing their  hands  on  the  head  of  the  proxy  who,  after  bap- 
tism, comes  up  out  of  the  water,  and  is  seated  on  a  chair  at 
the  east  end  of  the  platform. 

The  ordinance  is  made  very  impressive  by  the  sublime 
character  of  the  ceremony  and  the  artistic  beauty  of  the  font 
and   its   surroundings.      Men   are   baptized   in   behalf   of   dead 

13 


men,  and  women  for  women.  The  person  baptized  is  amply 
clothed  in  thick,  white  garments. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  baptistry  there  are  three  small 
rooms— the  middle  one  is  a  prayer  room;  the  one  to  the  south 
is  a  rest  room  for  the  female  attendants;  and  the  other,  on  the 
north,  is  for  the  use  of  the  male  officiators. 

From  the  floor  of  the  Baptistry  several  marble  steps,  and 
a  tile  floor  landing,  lead  to  a  room  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Temple.  Like  the  chapel  below  it  has  oak  benches  to  ac- 
commodate fifty  persons;  and  the  doors  and  mouldings  are  of 
the  same  kind  of  hardwood,  unpolished.  The  walls  are  cov- 
ered with  canvas,  painted  a  light  olive  shade.  There  are  six 
artistic  oil  painted  panels  on  the  walls,  the  work  of  a  Utah 
artist,  Mr.  LeConte  Stewart.  The  subjects  represented  in  these 
panels  are  the  six  periods  of  Creation,  beginning  with  the 
earth  in  a  condition  of  chaos,  and  ending  with  its  glorious  com- 
pleted state. 

Ascending  a  few  more  of  the  marble  steps,  the  com- 
pany is  ushered  into  another  room,  in  which  the  walls  are 
painted  to  represent  delightful  scenery,  groves  of  beautiful 
trees,  lawns  and  flowering  shrubs,  among  which  are  various 
animals,  all  evidently  living  together  in  peaceful  association. 
This  painting  also  is  the  artistic  work  of  LeConte  Stewart. 

This  room  is  the  same  size  as  the  one  we  have  just  left. 
It  is  lighted  by  windows  on  the  south  side,  which  extend  from 
floor  to  ceiling;  it  is  furnished  similar  to  the  other,  except 
that  a  prayer  altar  is  added,  on  which  rests  a  copy  of  the 
Holy  Bible,  importantly  associated  with  the  ceremonial  ser- 
vices. 

After  an  instructive  service,  the  company  is  taken  into  a 
third  room;  furnished  as  were  the  others,  but  with  a  marked 
difference  in  the  character  of  the  wall  paintings.  The  artist. 
A.  B.  Wright,  professor  of  art  at  the  L.  D.  S.  University,  in 
Salt  Lake  City,  has  succeeded  in  graphically  depicting  the  rug- 
ged character  of  world  scenery — broken,  rocky  mountains, 
storm-swept  landscapes,  gnarled  trees,  wild  beasts  in  combat— 
a  world  to  be  subdued  by  man  to  enable  him  to  live  thereon. 

A  further  ascent  of  a  few  steps  brings  the  people  into  the 
14 


hV^'^HI 

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f 

H^yjj 

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i   4 

1 

t      ^41 

I  o 

1 

i 

J 

'i 

room  in  which  the  concluding  instructive  lecture  of  the 
series  is  given. 

Heavy  silk  plush  portieres  separate  this  from  the  largest  and 
most  beautiful  of  all  the  rooms  in  the  Temple,  one  that  has  been 
sufficiently  described  in  the  fore  part  of  this  booklet.  We 
will  merely  add  that  the  dedication  services  were  held  in  this 
room;  and  the  adjoining  room  was  connected  with  it  on  the 
occasion,  pushing  aside  the  curtains  which  separate  the  two 
rooms;  curtains  were  opened  also  to  a  passage  way  on  the 
east  side,  where  three  smaller  rooms  are  located.  The  ar- 
rangement thus  made  provided  seating  capacity  for  three  hun- 
dred persons.  There  were  five  dedicatorial  services  given; 
about  fifteen  hundred  members  of  the  Church  participated 
therein. 

Three  small  rooms,  on  the  east  side  of  the  largest  room, 
are  paneled  with  polished  koa  wood,  and  are  elegantly  furn- 
ished. The  middle  one  is  the  most  elaborate;  it  is  used  for  the 
highest  of  the  Temple  ordinances.  The  other  two  contain  al- 
tars, in  addition  to  other  furniture.  At  the  altar,  in  either  of 
these  rooms,  men  and  women  are  united  in  the  holy  bond  of 
matrimony,  according  to  lh6  order  of  the  New  and  Everlasting 
Covenant,  revealed  from  Heaven  in  this  dispensation.  This  is 
called  the  "sealing"  ordinance,  and  is  performed  in  behalf  of 
living  couples,  not  already  married  only  on  presentation  of  a 
marriage  license  legally  issued  in  accordance  with  the  Hawaiian 
Territorial  law. 

The  marriage  ceremony  thus  performed  differs,  in  one 
important  feature,  from  what  constitutes  the  ceremony  as  per- 
formed elsewhere,  in  that  it  adds  a  clause  to  the  effect  that  the 
man  and  woman  are  united  as  husband  and  wife  for  time 
and  for  all  eternity.  The  reason  for  this  remarkable  addition 
to  the  marriage  contract  will  be  duly  explained  in  a  succeeding 
division  of  this  pamphlet. 

A  man  and  woman,  members  of  the  Church,  who  have  al- 
ready been  legally  married  may  come  to  the  Temple  and  have 
the  ordinance  of  sealing  for  time  and  all  eternity  performed  in 
their  behalf;  and  their  children  can  be  sealed  to  them,  so  that 
the  family  relationship  of  parents  and  children  is  thus  estab- 

16 


lished,  to  continue  throughout  the  endless  ages  of  the  eternal 
heieafter. 

All  Temple  ordinances  that  need  to  be  performed  in  be- 
half of  the  living  are  equally  essential  to  be  performed  for  the 
dead.  The  greater  part  of  the  sacred  labor  that  is  done  in  the 
Temple  is  of  that  character,  and  is  mostly  attended  to  by  the 
kindred  or  friends  of  the  dead  who  have  passed  into  the 
spirit  world  without  a  knowledge  of  or  opportunity  to  obey 
the  laws  and  saving  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

WHY  THE  LATTER-DAY  SAINTS  BUILD  TEMPLES. 

Now  that  we  have  described  the  various  rooms  in  the 
Temple  we  will  endeavor  to  satisfactorily  explain  the  reasons 
why  the  Latter-day  Saints  have  already  built  seven  Temples, 
and  are  preparing  to  erect  many  more  of  those  massive,  beau- 
tiful and  costly  structures.  (The  Temple  in  Salt  Lake  City 
cost  $4,000,000.) 

We  must  first  of  all  refer  to  the  foundation  for  the  won- 
derful faith  that  has  impelled  and  sustained  the  Latter-day 
Saints  in  undertaking  such  a  stupendous,  labor,  involving  sac- 
rifices unsurpassed  in  the  world's  history,  when  the  limited 
numbers,  unpopularity,  and  comparative  poverty  of  this  peo- 
ple are  considered.  It  must  be  remembered  that,  until  a 
very  recent  period,  the  officials  and  members  of  the  Church 
were  subjected  to  unjustifiable  calumny  and  persecution,  from 
the  time  the  Church  was  organized,  April  6th,  1830,  then 
numbering  only  six  charter  members.  That  unrighteous  treat- 
ment was  but  a  continuation  of  what  had  been  heaped  upon 
the  Prophet  leader,  Joseph  Smith,  from  the  time,  in  1820,  when 
he  announced  that  he  had  received  a  heavenly  vision. 

How  do  we  account  for  the  steadfast  adherence  to  their 
faith,  during  the  many  years  of  bitter  antagonism  and  relent- 
less persecution  which  was  the 'almost  continuous  experience  of 
the  Latter-day  Saints  at  the  hands  of  mobocrats,  under  which 
they  were  ruthlessly  driven  from  their  homes  and  lawful  jios- 
sessions    in    Missouri    and    Illinois,    and    during  which  periods 

17 


of  persecution  hundreds  of  lives  were  sacrificed,  and  millions 
of  dollars  worth  of  property  destroyed  or  confiscated  by  their 
enemies?  This  persecution  did  not  cease  even  when  their 
two  chief  leaders  were  murdered  by  a  mob,  in  Carthage,  Illi- 
nois, but  it  followed  them  to  Utah's  valleys  in  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  continued  long  thereafter.  But,  thank  God,  an  era 
of  investigation  concerning  us,  instead  of  persecution,  has  ar- 
rived, and  our  true  character,  history  and  doctrines  are  becom- 
ing known,  with  the  happy  result  that  tolerance  and  Christian- 
like treatment  are  most  frequently  apparent.  We  are  glad  to 
now  be  given  an  opportunity,  that  we  have  always  anxiously 
sought,  to  make  known  not  only  why  we  are  so  deeply  in- 
terested in  erecting  Temples  and  performing  sacred  ordinances 
therein,  but  we  want  the  whole  world  to  know  every  other 
detail  of  our  religious  belief  and  practice. 

The  cause  of  this  steadfast  adherence  to  faith,  in  the  face 
of  merciless  persecution  and  martyrdom,  which  characterized 
the  experiences  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  especially  in  their 
earlier  history,  was  and  is  simply  this,  that  through  obedience 
to  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  they  have  received 
that  which  was  promised  to  those  who  obeyed  the  Gospel  when 
He  and  His  Apostles  sojourned  on  earth  in  time's  meridian, 
namely,  the  gift  af  the  Holy  Ghost.  It  was  that  Gift  that  en- 
abled  the  former-day  Saints  to  remain  steadfast  to  their  faith 
throughout  all  the  fearful,  devilish  persecution,  tortures,  and 
death-dealing  attacks  to  which  they  were  subjected.  The  Di- 
vine influence  and  power,  imparted  unto  them  by  that  Gift, 
enlightened  their  souls,  and  they  knew  that,  by  faithful  ad- 
herence to  the  Gospel,  they  would  attain  eternal  life,  even 
if  their  mortal  life  was  sacrificed. 

In  like  manner,  the  Latter-day  Saints,  having  received  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  enabled  to  say  that  they  know  the 
Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  been  restored  to  the  earth, 
with  all  its  gifts  and  blessings,  as  in  olden  times,  because  they 
have  witnessed  and  experiencecJ  results.  Countless  miraculous 
manifestations  have  strengthened  their  faith;  above  all,  the 
light  of  Truth  has  illumined  their  souls  with  such  power  that 
they    can    truthfully    declare    they   know   that   God   lives,   that 

18 


Jesus  is  the  Christ,  and  that  the  Gospel  restored  to  the  earth, 
through  God's  chosen  instrument,  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith, 
is  in  very  deed  the  Divine  plan  of  life  and  salvation.  With 
this  assurance  indelibly  impressed  upon  their  hearts,  they  un- 
hesitatingly accept  all  that  God  has  revealed  through  His  in- 
spired  and  authorized  Priesthood  in  all  past  ages,  and  in  the 
present  and  last  dispensation.  This,  then,  is  the  reason  why, 
notwithstanding  the  world's  opposition,  they  have  adhered  to 
the  faith  they  have  received,  and  have  strenuously  endeavored 
to  fulfill  the  duties  God  has  revealed  they  must  perform  to  re- 
tain His  favor;  and  that  includes  the  duty  of  building  temples 
to  His  Holy  Name,  in  which  ordinances  can  be  performed  for 
the  dead,  who  did  not  have  a  knowledge  of,  or  opportunity  to 
obey  those  ordinances  in  life. 

Our  loving  Heavenly  Father  desires  the  salvation  of  all 
His  children  who  have  ever  lived  on  this  His  footstool,  and 
the  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  established  plan 
to  accomplish  that  great  purpose.  It  must  be  obeyed  by  all; 
there  is  no  exception.  All  accountable  beings  of  every  nation, 
kindred,  tongue  and  people,  rich  or  poor,  bond  or  free,  are 
included  in  Christ's  declaration:  "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
thee.  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he 
cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God."  (John  3:5.)  That 
was  and  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  a  simple  plan  that  all  mankind  can  easily  com- 
prehend, and  by  which  they  are  insured  redemption.  All 
mankind  shall  be  resurrected  from  the  grave,  and  those  who 
obey  the  Gospel  will  "enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God;"  that 
is  the  Divine  decree  that  applies  to  all  who  have  lived  or  ever 
will  live  in  mortality. 

But  how  is  that  to  be  accomplished?  By  far  the  greater 
number  of  those  who  have  lived  never  heard  that  Gospel 
proclaimed  during  their  lifetime;  how  can  they  render  obe- 
dience to  that  which  was  not  made  known  unto  them  be- 
fore their  departure  from  this  mortal  sphere?  Hearken!  God's 
boundless  love,  justice  and  mercy  extend  to  His  children 
after  they  have  ended  their  experiences  here;  their  spirits  still 
live.     He  is  the  Father  of  their  spirits,  and  His  Beloved  Son 

20 


carried  the  Gospel  message,  the  plan  of  eternal  life  and  sal- 
vation, to  the  myriads  who  had  died  before  He  followed  them 
into  the  spirit  world.  We  read  in  the  First  Epistle  of  Peter, 
third  chapter:  "For  Christ  also  hath  once  suffered  for  sins, 
the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us  to  God,  being 
put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit:  by 
which  also  he  went  and  preached  unto  the  spirits  in  prison." 
In  the  fourth  chapter  of  the  same  epistle,  Peter  says:  "For 
this  cause  was  the  Gospel  preached  also  to  them  that  are 
dead,  that  they  might  be  judged  according  to  men  in  the 
flesh,  but  live  according  to  God  in  the  spirit." 

"But,"  says  a  skeptic,  "how  can  a  man  who  is  dead  'be 
born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,'  which  you  say  is  required  in 
the  Gospel  plan?  The  man's  spirit  cannot  be  baptized  in 
water."  Yes,  that  is  a  self-evident  fact,  a  spirit  cannot  be  bap- 
tized in  water;  but  it  is  inconceivable  that  the  Son  of  God 
would  deliver  that  Gospel  message  to  the  countless  myriads  of 
the  dead  to  mock  them,  by  telling  them  that  they  must  do 
something  that  they  could  not  do,  or  they  would  be  eter- 
nally damned.  No,  verily  no.  He  suffered  Himself  to  be  put 
to  death  that  He  might,  in  the  spirit,  go  and  preach  liberty 
to  the  captive  spirits — show  them  the  way  to  life  everlasting. 
He  provided  the  way  for  them  to  obey  that  eternal  law  of 
the  Gospel  vicariously;  it  is  made  clear  in  Paul's  first  epistle 
to  the  Corinthians,  chapter  fifteen,  wherein  he  says:  "Else 
what  shall  they  do  which  are  baptized  for  the  dead,  if  the 
dead  rise  not  at  all?  Why  are  they  then  baptized  for  the 
dead?"  Baptism  for  the  dead  was  an  institution  of  Christ's 
Church  in  the  time  of  the  Apostles,  and  for  many  years  sub- 
sequently. It  is  God's  .way  of  making  it  possible  for  all  His 
children,  living  or  dead,  to  comply  with  the  law  of  the  Gospel 
— -"Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  [baptized]  and  of  the 
Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  That  a 
vicarious  compliance  with  Divine  law  is  acceptable  unto  God 
is  evident  in  the  accepted  Atonement  made  by  His  Beloved 
Son  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 

The  Latter-day  Saints  build  Temples,  and  perform  bap- 
tisms  for  the    dead,   and   other   ordinances,   because   God  has 

21 


made  known  unto  them  that  He  desires  this  done,  so  that  all 
the  Gospel  laws  may  be  complied  with  for  the  salvation  of 
His  children;  all,  dead  and  living,  are  amply  provided  with  the 
means  to  accomplish  this  glorious  purpose.  We  read  in  the 
Bible  that  God  said  to  the  Prophet  Malachi,  "Behold,  I  will 
send  you  Elijah  the  prophet  before  the  coming  of  the  great 
and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord;  and  he  shall  turn  the  heart  of 
the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  heart  of  the  children  to 
their  fathers,  lest  I  come  and  smite  the  earth  with  a  curse." 
(Malachi  5:5,  6.)  The  Latter-day  Saints  announce  to  the  world 
that  Elijah,  who  was  taken  to  heaven  without  having  passed 
through  the  ordeal  of  death,  did  return  to  earth  and,  on  the 
third  day  of  April,  1836,  came  to  the  Temple  in  Kirtland,  Ohio, 
and  fulfilled  the  declaration  that  God  made  to  Malachi.  The 
glorious  purpose  of  God  is  being  accomplished,  the  hearts 
of  the  fathers  are  turned  to  the  children,  and  the  children's  to 
the  fathers,  and  the  ordinance  of  baptism  is  being  performed 
in  behalf  of  the  dead  fathers  by  their  children,  in  the  Tem- 
ples that  God  has  directed  the  members  of  His  Church  to  erect 
for  that  purpose,  and  the  blessings  of  the  Lord  are  following 
their  ministrations  in  behalf  of  the  dead,  who  are  as  much  the 
subjects  of  His  boundless  love  and  mercy  as  are  the  living. 

We  now  desire  to  inform  the  reader  somewhat  concern- 
ing other  ordinances  besides  baptism  for  the  dead  which,  for 
our  present  purpose,  has  probably  been  dwelt  upon  suffi- 
ciently. 

The  marriage  ceremony  is  one  of  the  "sealing"  ordinances. 
When  that  ceremony  is  performed  in  the  Temple,  the  man 
and  woman  are  declared  to  be  husband  and  wife  for  time 
and  for  all  eternity. 

The  enquiry  is  usually  made,  "Why  are  the  words  'for  all 
eternity*  added,  instead  of  making  the  edict  apply  to  this  life 
only,  as  in  the  marriage  ceremony  performed  by  other 
churches,  or  by  the  civil  law?  Do  the  officiating  Elders 
in  your  Church  possess  Divine  authority,  whereby  the  relation- 
ship of  husband  and  wife  can  be  made  to  extend  beyond  the 
death  of  the  man  and  woman?     Is  it  not  a  fact,  as  Jesus  an- 

22 


nounced,  that  'there  is  no  marrying  or  giving  in  marriage  in 
heaven'?"  Yes,  undoubtedly  that  is  a  fact,  as  He  declared  it; 
and  the  ordinance  of  marriage  has  to  be  performed  on  eartii. 
BuC  there  is  nothing  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  or  any  other  re- 
vealed word  of  God  to  indicate  that  He  designed  to  limit  the 
sacred  relationship  of  husband  and  wife  to  their  earthly  life. 
When  God  gave  Eve  to  Adam,  and  told  them  to  "be  fruitful  and 
multiply,"  they  were  not  subject  to  death,  and  if  they  had  not 
partaken  of  the  "forbidden  fruit,"  they  would  have  lived  for 
ever;  therefore  there  can  be  no  doubt  it  was  Divinely  designed 
that  their  relationship  in  the  holy  bond  He  established  would 
never  end,  in  time  nor  eternity. 

God's  decrees  are  eternal,  as  He  is  Eternal.  Paul  made  a 
very  important  statement  that  renders  perfectly  clear  the  fact 
that  it  was  God's  design  that  there  should  be  no  separation  of 
man  and  wife  after  death.  Paul  said,  'Neither  is  the  man  with- 
out the  woman,  neither  the  woman  without  the  man,  in  the 
Lord."     (I  Cor.  11:11.) 

There  is  no  question  of  the  solemnity,  importance,  and 
validity  of  the  marriage  ceremony  as  usually  performed;  it  is, 
or  should  be  regarded  as  a  sacredly  binding  relationship,  le- 
gally and  lawfully  established  under  the  duly  recognized  au- 
thority of  the  person  performing  the  ceremony.  Naturally,  every 
man  and  woman,  thus  legitimately  married,  who  truly  love  each 
other  and  their  offspring,  desire  that  their  family  association 
should  be  perpetuated  in  the  great  hereafter.  The  thought  of 
separation  after  this  life  is  ended  is,  to  all  right  minded  hus- 
bands and  wives,  a  terrifying  prospect  which  they  quickly  ban- 
ish; they  do  not  permit  their  minds  to  dwell  upon  the  hor- 
rifying thought,  but  feel  assured  that  the  most  sublime  of  all 
their  earthly  experiences  will  be  continued  in  heaven.  And 
yet  they  are  married,  untler  the  established  law  of  man,  until 
death  doth  them  part. 

We  will  not  continue  consideration  of  the  consequences  in- 
volved in  man's  perversion  of  this  most  important  ceremony. 
We  have  to  announce  that  God  has  restored  the  order  of  mar- 
riage instituted  by  Him  in  the  beginning  of  time,  and  men  hold- 
ing the  Priesthood,  conferred  by  Him,  are  duly  authorized  to 

23 


perform  the  ceremony,  in  His  Holy  Temples,  that  establishes 
the  Divine  relationship  of  husband  and  wife  for  time  and  for 
all  eternity. 

(It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  the  late  President  Wilford 
Woodruff  issued  a  manifesto,  in  1890,  prohibiting  plural  mar- 
riages. His  decree  was  accepted  by  the  members  of  the  Church 
assembled  in  General  Conference,  consequently  plural  mar- 
riages are  not  solemnized  by  this  Church.  Should  any  of  its 
members  now  contract  such  marriage,  they  would  be  subject 
to  excommunication,  and  to  punishment  by  the  law  of  the 
land.) 

Just  a  few  more  words  about  the  "sealing"  of  children. 
The  Latter-day  Saints  do  not  entertain  the  shadow  of  a  doubt 
concerning  the  validity  and  eternal  character  of  the  ordinances 
performed  in  the  Temple  in  their  behalf,  or  in  behalf  of  the 
dead.  They  have  the  most  satisfying  assurances  that  those  or- 
dinances are  Divinely  approved.  Their  joy  is  unbounded  in 
confident  reliance  upon  a  never-ending  association,  in  the 
resurrected  state,  with  those  to  whom  they  have  been  united, 
under  God's  authority,  in  this  life;  and  this  includes  the  chil- 
dren born  unto  them  after  that  union.  The  family  organiza- 
tion is  to  be  perpetuated  forever,  with  happiness  increased  be- 
yond finite  comprehension. 

Children  born  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  under  the  sec- 
tarian or  civil  form  of  ceremony,  which  declares  that  the  re- 
lationship of  husband  and  wife  is  to  exist  only  until  death, 
must  remain  under  that  law,  they  and  their  parents  eternally 
separated  after  they  pass  from  this  life,  unless  they  comply  with 
the  ordinance  God  has  provided  to  perpetuate  the  family  organ- 
ization. This  ordinance  also  is  one  of  the  glorious  provisions 
connected  with  Temple  work;  by  Divine  authority  the  husband 
and  wife  are  married  for  time  and  all  eternity,  and,  by  the 
same  power,  the  children  are  sealed  to  them  to  be  theirs  for- 
ever, worlds  without  end. 

This  little  pamphlet  is  not  designed  to  be  a  medium  for 
elaborating  details  of  the  religion  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  or 

24 


to  furnish  an  array  of  reasons  for  belief  in  the  doctrines  and 
principles  of  their  faith,  it  is  simply  a  statement  concerning 
things  especially  connected  with  their  Temples,  and  the  ordi- 
nances performed  therein.  But  it  is  earnestly  desired,  by  the 
officials  and  members  of  the  Church,  that  all  mankind  should 
be  fully  informed  regarding  everything  embraced  in  their 
faith  and  practice,  therefore  the  readers  are  urgently  invited 
to  become  familiar  therewith  by  thorough,  and  we  hope,  un- 
biased investigation.  Help  in  such  research  is  gladly  given, 
verbally  or  by  the  literature  of  the  Church,  accessible  to  all 
who  desire  to  investigate,  and  especially  to  honest  searchers 
after  Truth.  All  such  are  solicited  to  write  to,  or  call  upon, 
any  of  our  missionaries;  or  attend  the  services  in  our  meet- 
ing houses,  which  are  always  freely  open  to  the  public.  Much 
of  the  Church  literature  is  distributed  gratuitously  to  enquir> 
ers;  and  it  can  be  procured,  questions  answered,  and  informa- 
tion courteously  imparted  at  the  L.  D.  S.  Mission  Office,  1704 
Luso  Street,  Honolulu. 

The  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  are  out- 
lined in  their  "Articles  of  Faith,"  which  will  be  found  on  the 
last  page  of  this  pamphlet. 

"What  may  be  regarded  as  a  summarized  expression  of 
much  of  the  faith  and  hopes  of  the  Saints  is  to  be  found  in  the 
prayer  delivered  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant,  at  the  dedication 
of  the  Hawaiian  Temple;  it  is,  therefore,  given  herewith  as 
a  fitting  conclusion  to  this  limited  statement  of  reasons  why 
the  Latter-day  Saints  build  Temples. 

DEDICATORIAL  EXERCISES 

On  Thanksgiving  day,  Thursday,  November  27,  1919,  at 
2:30  p.  m.,  310  Saints,  including  the  missionaries  from  Zion, 
were  admitted  to  the  Hawaiian  temple,  at  Laie,  upon  written 
recommend,  to  witness  the  dedicatory  services. 

Presidents  Heber  J.  Grant,  Anthon  H.  Lund,  and  Rudger 
Clawson,  with  Elder  Stephen  L.  Richards,  of  the  Council  of 
the  Twelve,  Presiding  Bishop  Charles  W.  Nibley,  and  Elder 
Arthur  Winter,  were  the  visiting  brethren  from  Utah. 

26 


Besides  these  brethren,  there  were  seated  on  the  first  tier 
of  chairs  in  the  upper  room,  President  E.  Wesley  Smith,  Sam- 
uel E.  Woolley;  William  H.  Waddoups,  President  of  the  Tem- 
ple; Duncan  M.  McAllister,  recorder;  Sister  Sarah  Jenne  Can- 
non, and  between  thirty  and  forty  traveling  elders  and  lady 
missionaries  from  Zion. 

President  Grant  presided  and  conducted  the  service.  There 
were  twelve  singers  in  the  choir,  selected  in  equal  numbers 
from  the  Honolulu  and  Laie  choirs.  These  sang  for  the  open- 
ing number  the  hymn  entitled,  "A  Temple  in  Hawaii,"  words 
by  Ruth  May  Fox,  and  music  by  Orson  Clarke,  formerly  a 
Hawaiian  missionary. 

After  the  opening  song,  the  dedicatory  prayer  which  fol- 
lowed was  offered  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant.  It  was  most 
impressive  and  inspiring  and  was.  received  with  great  rejoicing 
by  the  entire  assembly,  who  all  felt  that  the  Lord  had  accepted 
the  beautiful  prayer  and  dedication,  and  the  house  which  had 
been  erected  by  the  Church  and  the  good  people  of  Hawaii, 
and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  Lord.  At  the  close  of 
the  prayer,  the  choir  and  congregation  sang,  "Praise  to  the  man 
who  communed  with  Jehovah,"  following  which  the  sacred 
"Hosanna  Shout"  was  given  with  deep  feeling  and  inspirational 
effect.    (Improvement  Era,  Feb.,  1920.) 

DEDICATORIAL  PRAYER. 
By  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

"O  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  we.  Thy  servants  and 
handmaidens,  thank  Thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
Thy  well-beloved  Son,  with  all  the  power  of  our  being, 
that  we  are  privileged  this  day  to  be  present  in  this 
beautiful  land,  to  dedicate  unto  Thy  Most  Holy  Name, 
a  temple   of  the  Living   God. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  that 
Thou  and  Thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  didst  visit  the  boy 
Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  and  that  he  was  instructed  by  Thee, 
and  by  Thy  beloved  Son. 

"We  thank  Thee  that  Thou  didst  send  Thy  servant, 
John  the  Baptist,  and  that  he  did  lay  his  hands  upon 

27 


Joseph  Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery  and  ordain  them  to 
the  Aaronic,  or  Lesser  Priesthood. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  sending  Thy  servants  Peter, 
James,  and  John,  apostles  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
ministered  with  the  Savior  in  the  flesh  and  after  His 
crucifixion,  and  that  they  did  ordain  Thy  servants  Joseph 
Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery  apostles  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  bestowed  upon  them  the  Holy  Melchizedek 
Priesthood,  by  which  authority  and  apostleship  we  do 
dedicate  unto  Thee,  this  day,  this  holy  edifice. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  the  integrity  and  the  devotion 
of  Thy  servants,  the  Prophet  and  Patriarch,  Joseph  Smith 
and  Hyrum  Smith.  We  thank  Thee  that  they  labored 
all  the  days  of  their  lives,  from  the  time  of  the  restitu- 
tion of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  until  the  day  of  their 
martyrdom,  and  that  they  sealed  their  testimony  with 
their  blood. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  Thy  servants,  Brigham  Young, 
John  Taylor,  Wilford  Woodruff,  Lorenzo  Snow,  and 
Joseph  F.  Smith,  who  have  severally  stood  at  the  head 
of  Thy  Church  since  the  martyrdom  of  Thy  servant  Jo- 
seph Smith,  and  who  have  led  and  directed  Thy  people 
by  the  inspiration  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  who  have 
sent  forth  representatives  to  proclaim  the  everlasting 
Gospel  in  nearly  every  land  and  clime. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  all  the  faithful  members  of  the 
First  Presidency  of  the  Church,  and  for  the  Apostles,  in 
this  last  dispensation;  and  for  each  and  all  of  the  faith- 
ful men  who  have  held  office  as  general  authorities  of 
the   Church. 

"O  God,  our  Eternal  Father,  we  pray  Thee  to  bless 
the  Presidency  of  Thy  Church — Thy  servants  Heber  J. 
Grant,  Anthon  H.  Lund,  and  Charles  W.  Penrose.  May 
these  men,  O  Father,  be  guided  by  the  unerring  coun- 
sels of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  day  by  day.  May  they  be  even 
as  a  three-fold  cord  that  cannot  be  broken.  May  they 
see  eye  to  eye  in  all  matters  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  upon  the  earth. 

"Bless,  O  Father,  each  and  all  of  the  Apostles,  the 
Presiding  Patriarch,  the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy, 
and  the  Presiding  Bishopric. 

"Bless,  we  beseech  Thee,  those  who  preside  in  all 
the  stakes  of  Zion,  and  in  all  the  wards  and  branches 
of  the  Church. 

"Bless  those  who  preside  over  the  missions  of  the 
Church  throughout  the  world,  together  with  all  Thy  ser- 

28 


vants  and  handmaidens  who  have  gone  forth  to  proclaim 
to  the  peoples  of  the  world  the  restoration  again  to 
the  earth  of  the  plan  of  life  and  salvation. 

"Bless  those,  O  Father,  who  preside  in  the  temples 
that  have  been  erected  to  Thy  holy  Name  Irr  the  land 
of  Zion.  Bless,  also,  those  who  preside  and  who  labor 
in  the  Church  schools  which  have  been  established  froi.. 
Canada  on  the  north  to  Mexico  in  the  south. 

"O  God,  accept  of  the  gratitude  and  thanksgiving 
of  our  hearts,  for  the  very  wonderful  and  splendid  la- 
bors performed  in  the  land  of  Hawaii  by  Thy  servants 
President  George  Q.  Cannon  and  Joseph  F.  Smith.  We 
thank  Thee  for  their  devotion  to  the  Gospel  and  to  the 
people  of  this  land.  We  thank  Thee  for  raising  up  Thy 
servant  Elder  J.  H.  Napela,  that  devoted  Hawaiian,  who 
assisted  Thy  servant  President  Cannon  in  the  transla- 
tion of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  which  is  the  sacred  history 
of  the  Nephites,  the  Lamanites,  and  the  Jaredites.  We 
thank  Thee  that  the  plates  containing  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon were  preserved  so  that  they  could  be  translated, 
and  that  Thy  words  to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  might 
be  fulfilled;  namely,  'That  the  Lamanites  might  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  their  fathers,  and  that  they  might 
know  the  promises  of  the  Lord,  and  that  they  may  be- 
lieve the  Gospel  and  rely  upon  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  be  glorified  through  faith  in  His  name,  and 
that  through  their  repentance  they  might  be  saved.' 

"We  thank  Thee,  that  thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  the  descendants  of  Lehi,  in  this  favored  land, 
have  come  to  a  knowledge  of  the  Gospel,  many  of  whom 
have  endured  faithfully  to  the  end  of  their  lives.  We 
thank  Thee,  our  Father  and  our  God,  that  those  who  are 
living  and  who  have  embraced  the  Gospel  are  now  to 
have  the  privilege  of  entering  into  this  holy  house,  and 
laboring  for  the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  their  ancestors. 

"We  thank  Thee  that  on  this  occasion  the  widow  of 
thy  beloved  servant,  George  Q.  Cannon,  even  thine  hand- 
maiden. Sister  Sarah  Jenne  Cannon,  is  present  with  us 
today,  and  is  permitted  to  participate  in  these  dedica- 
tory  services. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  Father  in  Heaven,  for  our  fam- 
ilies, our  friends,  our  relatives,  and  for  all  the  many 
blessings  which  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  us. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  all  of  the  temples  that  have 
been  erected  in  this  last  dispensation,  and  we  pray 
Thy  choice  blessings  to  be  and  abide  with  all  those  who 

30 


minister  therein.  We  pray  that  that  same  sweet  spirit 
which  is  present  in  all  of  the  temples,  may  abide  with 
those  who  shall  labor  in  this  holy  house. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  Father,  this  clay,  that  the  prom- 
ise made  in  a  dream  to  Thy  servant  William  W.  Cluff,  by 
Thy  Prophet  Brigham,  Young,  that  the  day  would  come 
when  a  temple  should  be  erected  in  this  land,  is  fulfilled 
before  our  eyes. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  God,  that  Thy  faithful  and  dil- 
igent servant,  President  Joseph  F.  Smith,  was  moved 
upon,  while  in  this  land,  on  the  birthday  of  Thy  ser- 
vant President  Brigham  Young,  in  the  year  1915,  to  dedi- 
cate this  spot  of  ground  for  the  erection  of  a  temple  to 
the   Most  High   God. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  the  long  and  faithful  and  dili- 
gent labors  of  Thy  servant  President  Samuel  E.  Woolley, 
who  has  so  faithfully  presided  over  this  mission  for 
these  many  years.  We  thank  Thee  for  his  labors  in  the 
erection  of  this  temple,  and  beseech  Thee,  O  Father, 
that  Thou  wilt  bless  him  and  all  of  his  associate  workers. 

"We  pray  Thee,  O  Father,  to  bless  the  son  of  Thy 
beloved  servant  President  Joseph  F.  Smith,  E.  Wesley 
Smith,  who  now  presides  over  the  Hawaiian  mission. 
May  the  missionary  spirit  be  and  abide  with  him.  May 
he  have  that  same  splendid  love  for  the  people  of  this 
land  which  his  dear  departed  father  possessed. 

"We  now  thank  Thee,  O  God,  our  Eternal  Father,  for 
this  beautiful  temple  and  the  grounds  upon  which  it 
stands,  and  we  dedicate  the  grounds  and  the  building, 
with  all  its  furnishings  and  fittings,  and  everything  per- 
taining thereunto,  from  the  foundation  to  the  roof  there- 
of, to  Thee,  our  Father  and  our  God.  And  we  humbly 
pray  Thee,  O  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  to  accept  of  it 
and  to  sanctify  it,  and  to  consecrate  it  through  Thy 
Spirit  for  the  holy  purposes  for  which  it  has  been 
erected. 

"We  beseech  Thee  that  no  unclean  thing  shall  be 
permitted  to  enter  here,  and  that  Thy  Spirit  may  ever 
dwell  in  this  holy  house  and  rest  mightily  upon  all  who 
shall  labor  as  officers  and  workers  in  this  house,  as  well 
as  all  who  shall  come  here  to  perform  ordinances  for  the 
living  or  for  the  dead. 

"May  Thy  peace  ever  abide  in  this  holy  building, 
that  all  who  come  here  may  partake  of  the  spirit  of 
peace,  and  of  the  sweet  and  heavenly  influence  that 
Thy  Saints  have  experienced  in  other  temples,  and  that 

31 


has  also  been  experienced  in  visiting  the  monument  and 
cottage  erected  at  the  birthplace  of  Thy  servant  Joseph 
Smith,  the   great  Latter-day  prophet. 

"May  all  who  come  upon  the  grounds  which  sur- 
round this  temple,  in  the  years  to  come,  whether  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  Christ  or  not,  feel  the  sweet  and 
peaceful   influence   of   this   blessed    and   hallowed    spot. 

"And  now  that  this  temple  is  completed  and  ordi- 
nance work  will  soon  be  commenced,  we  beseech  Thee, 
O  Father,  that  Thou  wilt  open  the  way  before  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  in  these  lands,  as  well  as  of  the  na- 
tives of  New  Zealand,  and  of  all  the  Pacific  Islands, 
to  secure  the  genealogies  of  their  forefathers,  so  that 
they  may  come  into  this  holy  house  and  become  saviors 
unto  their  ancestors. 

"Wo  thank  Thee,  O  God,  our  Eternal  Father,  that 
the  land  of  Palestine,  the  land  where  our  Savior  and 
Redeemer  ministered  in  the  flesh,  where  He  gave  to 
the  world  the  plan  of  life  and  salvation,  is  now  redeemed 
from  the  thralldom  of  the  unbeliever,  and  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  great,  enlightened  and  liberty-loving  em- 
pire of  Great  Britain.  We  acknowledge  Thy  hand,  O 
God,  in  the  wonderful  events  which  have  led  up  to  the 
partial  redemption  of  the  land  of  Judah,  and  we  be- 
seech Thee.  O  Father,  that  the  Jews  may,  at  no  far  dis- 
tant date,  be  gathered  home  to  the  land  of  their  fore- 
fathers. 

"We  thank  Thee  that  Thy  servants,  the  Prophets 
Joseph  Smith  and  Brigham  Young,  were  moved  upon  to 
send  holy  apostles  to  Jerusalem  to  dedicate  that  land  for 
the  return   of  the  Jews. 

"Wo  acknowledge  Thy  hand,  O  God,  our  Heavenly 
Father,  that  one  of  the  benefits  of  the  great  and  terrible 
world  war,  through  which  the  nations  of  the  earth  have 
recently  passed,  will  be  the  opportunity  for  the  Jews  to 
return  to  the  land  of  their  fathers. 

"We  thank  Thee,  our  Father  in  Heaven,  for  the 
victory  which  came  to  the  armies  of  the  Allies,  and  we 
beseech  Thee  that  that  victory  may  lead  to  increased 
liberty  and  peace  throughout  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth. 

"We  pray  for  Thy  blessings  to  be  upon  the  kings, 
and  upon  the  nobles,  and  upon  the  rulers  in  all  nations, 
that  they  may  have  it  in  their  hearts  to  administer  jus- 
tice and  righteousness  and  to  give  liberty  and  freedom 
to  the  peoples  over  whom  they  rule. 

32 


Maternity  Group,  in  Center  of  Terrace  Wall 


"We  thank  Thee  that  Thou  didst  inspire  the  noble 
men  who  wrote  the  Constitution  of  our  beloved  coun- 
try, and  we  beseech  Thee  that  the  principles  of  that  in- 
spired document  may  ever  be  maintained;  that  the  peo-- 
ple  may  overcome  selfishness  and  strife,  and  contention, 
and  all  bitterness,  and  that  they  may  grow  and  increase 
in  the  love  of  country,  in  loyalty  and  patriotism,  and  in 
a  determination  to  do  that  which  is  right  and  just. 

"We  thank  Thee  for  this  land  of  liberty  in  which  we 
dwell,  which  Thou  hast  said  is  choice  above  all  other 
lands.  We  do  thank  Thee,  O  God  our  Father,  for  the 
noble  men  who  have  presided  over  our  country  from  the 
days  of  George  Washington  until  the  present  time. 

"We  pray  Thee  to  bless  Woodrow  Wilson,  the  presi- 
dent of  these  United  States.  Touch  him  with  the  heal- 
ing power  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit  and  make  him  whole.  We 
pray  that  his  life  may  be  precious  in  Thy  sight,  and  may 
the  inspiration  that  comes  from  Thee  ever  abide  with 
him. 

"We  pray  for  the  vice-president  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  members  of  the  president's  cabinet,  for  the  sen- 
ators and  congressmen,  and  for  all  the  officers  of  this 
great  and  glorious  government  in  every  state  and  terri- 
tory, and  in  every  land  where  the  United  States  bears 
rule.  We  also  remember  before  Thee,  all  those  who 
have  been  selected  to  administer  the  law  in  this  favored 
land  of  Hawaii. 

"We  beseech  Thee,  O  God  in  heaven,  that  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States  of  America  may  ever  seek  to 
Thee  for  guidance  and  direction,  that  Thy  declaration 
and  promise  that  this  is  a  land  choice  above  all  other 
lands,  and  shall  be  protected  against  all  foes,  provided 
the  people  serve  Thee,  may  be  realized  and  fulfilled, 
and  that  the  people  may  grow  in  power,  and  strength 
and  dominion,  and,  above  all,  in  a  love  of  Thy  truth. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  God,  that  Thy  Son,  our  Re- 
deemer, after  being  crucified  and  laying  down  His  life 
for  the  sins  of  the  world,  did  open  the  prison  doors  and 
proclaim  the  Gospel  of  repentance  unto  those  who  had 
been  disobedient  in  the  days  of  Noah,  and  that  He  sub- 
sequently came  to  the  land  of  America,  where  He  estab- 
lished His  Church  and  chose  disciples  to  guide  the 
same. 

"We  thank  Thee,  for  restoring  again  to  the  earth 
the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  of  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
whereby  men  and  women  can  be,  in  very  deed,  saviors 

34 


upon  Mount  Zion,  and  where  they  can  enter  into  Thy 
holy  temples  and  perform  the  ordinance^  necessary  for 
the  salvation  of  those  who  have  died  without  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Gospel. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  Father,  above  all  things  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth,  for  the  Gospel  of  Thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  for  the  Priesthood  of  the  living  God,  and 
that  we  have  been  made  partakers  of  the  same,  and  have 
an  abiding  knowledge  of  the  divinity  of  the  work  in 
which  we  are  engaged. 

"Wo  thank  Thee  for  the  words  of  Thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  and  Sidney  Rigdon: 
'This  is  the  Gospel,  the  glad  tidings  which  the  voice 
out  of  the  heavens  bore  record  unto  us,  that  He  came 
into  the  world,  even  Jesus,  to  be  crucified  for  the  world, 
and  to  bear  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  to  sanctify  the 
world,  and  to  cleanse  it  from  all  unrighteousness,  that 
through  Him  all  might  be  saved  whom  the  Father  had 
put  into  His  power  and  made  by  Him,  who  glorifies 
the  Father  and  saves  all  the  works  of  His  hands.' 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  Father,  that  Thou  didst  send 
Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  visit  Thy  servants  Joseph  Smith 
and  Oliver  Cowdery  in  the  Kirtland  temple,  the  first 
temple  ever  erected  by  Thy  people  in  this  last  dispen- 
sation.   We  thank  Thee  for  the  words  of  our  Redeemer: 

"  'I  am  the  first  and  the  last,  I  am  he  who  liveth, 
I  am  he  who  was  slain,  I  am  your  advocate  with  the 
Father.  Behold,  your  sins  are  forgiven  you,  you  are 
clean  before  me,  therefore,  lift  up  your  heads  and  re- 
joice, let  the  hearts  of  your  brethren  rejoice,  and  let 
the  hearts  of  all  my  people  rejoice,  who  have  with  their 
might,  built  this  house  to  my  name,  for  behold,  I  have 
accepted  this  house,  and  my  name  shall  be  here,  and  I 
will  manifest  !my  self  tomy  people  in  mercy  in  this  house.' 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  God,  that  Thou  hast  accepted, 
by  the  testimony  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  all  of  the  tem- 
ples that  have  been  erected  from  the  days  of  Kirtland 
until   this  present  one. 

"We  also  thank  Thee  for  sending  Thy  servants, 
Moses  and  Elias  and  Elijah,  to  the  Kirtland  temple,  and 
delivering  to  Thy  servants,  Joseph  and  Oliver,  the  keys 
of  every  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  days  of  Father  Adam  down  to  the  present  dispensa- 
tion, which  is  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times. 

"We  thank  Thee,  that  Elijah  has  appeared  and 
that    the    prophecy    of    Thy    servant    Malachi,    that    the 

35 


hearts  o(  the  fathers  should  he  turned  to  the  children, 
and  the  hearts  of  the  children  to  the  fathers,  lest  the 
earth  be  smitten  with  a  curse,  has  been  fulfilled  in  our 
day,  and  that  our  hearts  in  very  deed,  go  out  to  our 
fathers;  and  we  rejoice  beyond  our  ability  to  express 
that  we  can,  through  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  become  saviors  of  our  ancestors. 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  God,  with  all  our  hearts  and 
souls  for  the  testimony  of  Thy  Servants  Joseph  Smith 
and  Sidney  Rigdon:  'And  now,  after  the  many  testi- 
monies which  have  been  given  of  Him,  this  is  the  testi- 
mony last  of  all,  which  we  give  of  Him,  that  He  Jives; 
for  we  saw  Him,  even  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  and  we 
heard  the  voice  bearing  record  that  He  is  the  Only  Be- 
gotten of  the  Father — that  by  Him  and  through  Him, 
and  of  Him  the  worlds  are  and  were  created,  and  the  in- 
habitants thereof  are  begotten  sons  and  daughters  unto 
God/ 

"We  thank  Thee,  O  Father,  for  the  knowledge  that 
we  possess  in  our  very  souls,  that  Thou  dost  live,  and 
that  Thy  Son  Jesus  is  our  Redeemer,  and  our  Savior,  and 
that  Thy  servant,  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  was  and  is  a  prophet 
of  the  true  and  living  God.  And,  O  Father,  may  we 
ever  be  true  and  faithful  to  the  Gospel  of  Thy  Son 
Jesus   Christ,   revealed   through  Thy   servant   Joseph. 

"We  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  wilt  stay 
the  hand  of  the  destroyer  among  the  natives  of  this 
land,  and  give  unto  them  increasing  virility  and  more 
abundant  health,  that  they  may  not  perish  as  a  people, 
but  that  from  this  time  forth  they  may  increase  in  num- 
bers and  in  strength  and  influence,  that  all  the  great 
and  glorious  promises  made  concerning  the  descend- 
ants of  Lehi,  may  be  fulfilled  in  them;  that  they  may 
grow  in  vigor  of  body  and  of  mind,  and  above  all  in 
a  love  for  Thee  and  Thy  Son,  and  increase  in  diligence 
and  in  faithfulness  in  the  keeping  of  the  commandments 
which  have  come  to  them  through  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

"We  pray  Thee,  O  Father,  to  bless  this  land  that  it 
may  be  fruitful,  that  it  may  yield  abundantly,  and  that 
all  who  dwell  thereon  may  be  prospered  in  righteous- 
ness. 

"Bless  all  Thy  people  who  have  named  Thy  name 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Especially  bless  Thy  people 
in  the  Valleys  of  the  Mountains,  whereunto  they  were 
led  by  Thy  divine  guidance,  and  where  the  greatest  of 

36 


'4 


The  Prophet  Lehi  Blessiag  His  Son 


all  temples  in  this  dispensation  has  been  erected,  and 
where  Thou  hast  blessed  and  prospered  Thy  people  even 
beyond    anything   that    could   have   been   expected. 

"Bless,  O  Father  in  Heaven,  all  Thy  servants  and 
handmaidens  who  hold  responsible  positions  in  all  the 
various  auxiliary  organizations  of  Thy  Church,  whether 
as  general,  stake,  ward,  or  mission  authorities;  in  the 
Relief  Societies,  in  the  Mutual  Improvement  associa- 
tions, in  the  Sunday  schools,  in  the  Primary  associa- 
tions, and  in  the  Religion  Class  organizations.  Bless 
each  and  everyone  who  is  laboring  for  the  benefit  of  the 
members,  as  well  as  the  members  themselves,  in  these 
associations. 

"We  especially  pray  Thee,  O  Father  in  Heaven,  to 
bless  the  youth  of  Thy  people  in  Zion  and  in  all  the 
world.  Shield  and  preserve  and  protect  them  from  the 
adversary  and  from  wicked  and  designing  men.  Keep 
the  youth  of  Thy  jieople,  O  Father,  in  the  straight  and 
narrow  path  that  leads  to  Thee;  preserve  them  from 
all  the  pitfalls  and  snares  that  are  laid  for  their  feet 
O  Father,  may  our  children  grow  up  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Gospel  of  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ. 
Give  unto  them  a  testimony  of  the  divinity  of  this  work 
as  Thou  hast  give  it  unto  us,  and  preserve  them  in 
purity  and  in  the  truth. 

"O  God,  our  Heavenly  and  Eternal  Father,  sanctify 
the  words  which  we  have  spoken,  and  accept  of  the  dedi- 
cation of  this  house,  we  beseech  Thee,  in  the  name  of 
Thine  Only  Begotten  Son  Jesus  Christ,  our  Redeemer. 
We  have  dedicated  this  house  unto  Thee  by  virtue  of 
the  Priesthood  of  the  Living  God  which  we  hold,  and 
we  most  earnestly  pray  that  this  sacred  building  may 
be  a  place  in  which  Thou  shalt  delight  to  pour  out 
Thy  Holy  Spirit  in  great  abundance,  and  in  which  Thy 
Son  may  see  fit  to  manifest  Himself  and  to  instruct 
Thy  servants.  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Re- 
deemer.      Amen  and  Amen." 


38 


ARTICLES  OF  FAITH. 
Of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ   of  Latter-day  Saints. 

1.  We  believe  in  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  and  in  His 
Son,  Jesus   Christ,  and   in  the  Holy   Ghost. 

2.  We  believe  that  men  will  be  punished  for  their  own 
sins,  and  not  for  Adam's  transgression. 

3.  We  believe  that,  through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  all 
inankind  may  be  saved,  by  obedience  to  the  laws  and  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel. 

4.  We  believe  that  the  first  principles  and  ordinances 
of  the  Gospel  are:  First,  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
second.  Repentance;  third.  Baptism  by  immersion  for  the  re- 
mission of  sins;  fourth.  Laying  on  of  Hands  for  the  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

5.  We  believe  that  a  man  must  be  called  of  God,  by 
"prophecy,  and  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,"  by  those  who 
are  in  authority,  to  preach  the  Gospel  and  administer  in 
the   ordinances  thereof. 

6.  We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that  existed  in 
the  primitive  church,  namelj^  apostles,  prophets,  pastors, 
teachers,  evangelists,  etc. 

7.  We  believe  in  the  gift  of  tongues,  prophecy,  revelation, 
visions,  healing,  interpretation  of  tongues,  etc. 

8.  We  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  as  far  as 
it  is  translated  correctly;  we  also  believe  the  Book  of  Mormon 
to  be  the  word  of  God. 

9.  We  believe  all  that  God  has  revealed,  all  that  He  does 
now  reveal,  and  we  believe  that  He  will  yet  reveal  many  great 
and  important  things  pertaining  to  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

10.  We  believe  in  the  literal  gathering  of  Israel  and  in  the 
restoration  of  the  Ten  Tribes.  That  Zion  will  be  built  upon 
this  continent.  That  Christ  will  reign  personally  upon  the 
earth,  and  that  the  earth  will  be  renewed  and  receive  its  para- 
disical glory. 

11.  We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping  Almighty  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  our  conscience,  and  allow  all  men 
the  same  privilege,  let  them  worship  how,  where  or  what  they 
may. 

12.  We  believe  in  being  subject  to  kings,  presidents,  rulers 
and  magistrates,  in  obeying,  honoring  and  sustaining  the  law. 

13.  We  believe  in  being  honest,  true,  chaste,  benevolent, 
virtuous,  and  in  doing  good  to  ALL  MEN;  indeed  we  may  say 
that  we  follow  the  admonition  of  Paul,  "We  believe  all  things, 
we  hope  all  things,"  we  have  endured  many  things,  and  hope  to 
be  able  to  endure  all  things.  If  there  is  anything  virtuous, 
lovely,  or  of  good  report  or  praiseworthy,  we  seek  after  these 
things. 

39 


